Buy a 2 qt, bottle of Linit Starch. You will find a chart on the back so you can make what ever you need for what ever project.

I make the same mix but do add the lavender..smells so nice. At our guild quilt camp we always make a big batch and share it..call it the "Quilters Brew" LOL!

I am positively absolutely in love with Best Press after using up the smallest spray bottle of it, No flaky is the best...the smell is very gentle, and the fabric is so nice to touch afterwards. Just ordered a gallon. Will have to try the vodka recipe though.

WOW All those yummy recipes! I just follow Harriet Hargrave's advice (from her book Heirloom Machine Quilting), buy a packet of powdered starch (cheap as chips), mix three tablespoons in a 750ml cordial bottle with water, decant it into a fine mist kitchen spray bottle and voila. Works for me, use it all the time.

Funny! I don't have spirits in my house so your recipe is what I will use.

I don't drink either, except tea and water, so I'll join you with a big glass of ice tea as well. I guess you call me a TEA totaller!

That's just what I was thinkin!!

I use 2Tbsp Potato Vodka to 1 cup Distilled Water and then add Fabric Softener to desired feel. For me I like my fabric a little crisper so I use a little more Vodka and add about 2-3 Tbsp of fabric Softener to 4 cups. I generally have lavender around. Moths don't like the smell of lavender and I do but unscented works just fine.

The original recipe for this is as follows: just remember all ingredients start with the number 2

2 oz vodka, (the vodka keeps the solution from separating - water and oil)
2 cups distilled water and
20 drops of lavender essential oils


My grandmother gave me this recipe many years ago, when I was first married in the 60's. Also makes your
house smell great on laundry/ironing day.

Really love the vodka starch, light on fabric not stiff, very nice and soft on fabric. The best press, crisp, makes
flat wonderful press and lines to cut, making measurements to cut better. No white flakes, starch build up o fabric or iron. I used to have to clean iron so much no more. no spots of build up on fabric or need to wash starch stiff out.

Michelle, that's so funny! I can't stop laughing!!! :)

I made my own with the Vodka. I have used Magic Sizing for years in the light version and tried the more body version. I don't see a lot of difference in the homemade and the light body Magic Sizing. I did try the starch recipe but it tends to flake when pressing.

My recipe is:

2 cups distilled water
2 oz. cheap vodka
15-20 drops essential oil <lavender>

That's what I do - except I have not been able to find Sta-Flo for the last 4 months or so. I guess no one in Southern Maryland does anything domestic anymore. :thumbdown:

I ordered a case of Sta-Flo liquid starch from our local grocer when Walmart stopped carrying it. I use it 1/2 starch & 1/2 water. If I want it stiff as paper, I use it 3/4 starch and rest water. You can fan yourself with it.

I found it worked best to spray the back of the fabric, let it sit for 5 minutes or so and then iron it.

Love the way it cuts then.

Has anyone tried to order from Walmart online?? I couldn't fine some items in the store so I tried on line. Got it. Also if you order comes over $45. or $50 they ship it free. I found the sta-flo on the shelf but not the coffee I wanted so I ordered it online. Also ordered a quilting book on line and they sent it with the other items Free shipping. Give it a try. Pay with credit card or pay pal or cash when picked up at the store.

If you order from walmart online and pick up at the store, do you have to provide a credit card number when ordering? I had my w/m account hacked and when I did some searches, hundreds of others did too. So I closed out my account since they wouldn't let me remove my cc info from the website and since then have never ordered from them. With the holidays coming up though, I'd like to be able to.